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Audio Versions of My Books: Available or Not?

I’ve been asked this several times in e-mail this week, so let me go ahead and address this topic publicly. People want to know if there are or are planned any audiobook versions of my work. The answer is no: Right now, there are no audiobook versions of any of my work, and as far as I know there are no plans to turn them into audiobooks.

A separate question is whether I would like audiobook versions of my novels, and the answer to that is: Sure, I think that would be groovy. A cursory glance at my contracts says I own the sound recording rights to my novels, so if any reputable audiobook company wants to make an offer, they can contact my agent Ethan Ellenberg about it. I’m unlikely to do my own homebrew audiobook version, because I don’t much have the time or inclination at the moment. I have been thinking of doing some short stories in an audio version, just for kicks, but it’s an idle thought at the moment. And inasmuch as I’m writing this when I really ought to be writing something else, I wouldn’t be holding my breath for that.

So there you have it: No audiobooks now, none planned, but I’d be quite happy if someone wanted to make an offer to do one (or more).

27 thoughts on “Audio Versions of My Books: Available or Not?”

At work I listen to audiobooks a lot (radio reception, nada, and eventually I want to listen to something other than the NPR stream). The best audiobook I’ve listened to is Christopher Moore’s “A Dirty Job” performed by Fisher Stevens. I think it was also up for some awards last year. Hint to all, this is not a book you want the kids to hear (some sex and cussing, Fisher does that part very well).

Scalzi, your writing has a great “voice” and I think it would translate well to the spoken word. Although how you’d differentiate the BrainPal communication versus dialog, I have no clue. That’s why there are professionals that do that part.

At work I listen to audiobooks a lot (radio reception, nada, and eventually I want to listen to something other than the NPR stream). The best audiobook I’ve listened to is Christopher Moore’s “A Dirty Job” performed by Fisher Stevens. I think it was also up for some awards last year. Hint to all, this is not a book you want the kids to hear (some sex and cussing, Fisher does that part very well).

Scalzi, your writing has a great “voice” and I think it would translate well to the spoken word. Although how you’d differentiate the BrainPal communication versus dialog, I have no clue. That’s why there are professionals that do that part.

I really enjoy audio books, and get something like 40% of my ‘reading’ via audible.com. And I especially like the author read books (in fact, I will often choose an author read book that I am not 100% sure about over one that is not author read).

I really enjoy audio books, and get something like 40% of my ‘reading’ via audible.com. And I especially like the author read books (in fact, I will often choose an author read book that I am not 100% sure about over one that is not author read).

As a listener and a reader, I find that short stories work better as audio than novels. Usually I listen when I’m doing something else, like walking to work, working out at the gym or raking the leaves. A nice 20-30 minute story works well for this. On the other hand, a novel takes weeks to get through on audio. For some reason, I can’t just sit down and listen the way I sit down and read, so I don’t seem to do the “read all night to finish it” thing like I do with dead tree books.

I guess that’s a way of saying that I’d personally rather see Scalzi short stories in audio. There’s always Escape Pod, which I believe does all it’s own production.

As a listener and a reader, I find that short stories work better as audio than novels. Usually I listen when I’m doing something else, like walking to work, working out at the gym or raking the leaves. A nice 20-30 minute story works well for this. On the other hand, a novel takes weeks to get through on audio. For some reason, I can’t just sit down and listen the way I sit down and read, so I don’t seem to do the “read all night to finish it” thing like I do with dead tree books.

I guess that’s a way of saying that I’d personally rather see Scalzi short stories in audio. There’s always Escape Pod, which I believe does all it’s own production.

As a daily commuter I almost constantly have an audio book going in the car.Just finished the new Stephen King.(Recommended but only if you like SK who is sort of a genre unto himself in my estimation.)

Because not too many books make it to audio I am forced to listen to authors that I might otherwise take a pass on. This has largely been a good thing since it forces me to broaden my horizons.

I’d love to see all your novels on CD or downloadable audio.I’m sure it will happen.

As a daily commuter I almost constantly have an audio book going in the car.Just finished the new Stephen King.(Recommended but only if you like SK who is sort of a genre unto himself in my estimation.)

Because not too many books make it to audio I am forced to listen to authors that I might otherwise take a pass on. This has largely been a good thing since it forces me to broaden my horizons.

I’d love to see all your novels on CD or downloadable audio.I’m sure it will happen.

I would love to see your work in audio form, but that would probably be a Sci-Fi story in its own rights, so I’ll live with hearing it. Seriously, I am a big fan of audio books – I listen when I run in the mornings and when I drive home, which gives me a good 2 hours a day. I’ve actually looked for Scalzi on iTunes/Audible.com and been disappointed by the lack of entries :( I think your writing style would do very well in audio form, especially with a good, professional team behind it.

You might want to check with the publisher. They might have a Right Of First Refusal clause on it. Orphan’s Tales: In The Night Garden did, but it’s not likley to get picked up as it’s not quite as big a run as yours is.

As things stand, an audio book label is something I’m strongly considering throwing my spare time into. Working for eMusic is an education.

I’ll second that “have somebody else read it.” I haven’t met you in person (yet), so I don’t know your voice. From past experience, though, authors make poor readers. Stephen King is a prime example. He narrates “On Writing” on which he is excellent (I also have a copy of his “Building Bridges”/acceptance speech for the National Book Award). I took another SK audio out of the library. It was so bad I can’t even remember which book it was. I go back and forth with Hitchhiker books narrated by Douglas Adams or by Steven Fry.

IF you want to go what we might call the Jonathan Coulton route, consider Telltale (http://www.telltaleweekly.org/). After a certain time (5 years/100,000 sales), the recordings go Creative Commons, but they theoretically have a loose staff of readers and directors who might jump at the chance to do the audio of an acclaimed book that nevertheless doesn’t move enough units for its publishers to want to pursue audio.

IF you want to go what we might call the Jonathan Coulton route, consider Telltale (http://www.telltaleweekly.org/). After a certain time (5 years/100,000 sales), the recordings go Creative Commons, but they theoretically have a loose staff of readers and directors who might jump at the chance to do the audio of an acclaimed book that nevertheless doesn’t move enough units for its publishers to want to pursue audio.

“theoretically have a loose staff of readers and directors who might jump at the chance to do the audio of an acclaimed book that nevertheless doesn’t move enough units for its publishers to want to pursue audio.”

Heh. Without getting too much into it, units sold is not really the issue. The issue is that at this point I simply haven’t much pursued it. But I’ve put it on my agent’s radar and we’ll see what happens from here.